Robin Adair, The Much Admired Ballad Sung with enthusiastic applause by Mr. Braham at the Lyceum Theatre, The Symphony & Accompaniments, Composed & Arranged For The Harp Or Piano Forte By W. Reeve, London, Printed by Button & Whitaker, St. Paul's Church Yard, n. d. [1811/12]

Singer John Braham first performed the new "Robin Adair" on December 7th, 1811 at the Lyceum, Theatre Royal, Drury Lane:

"He introduced the ballad of 'Robin Adair,' which he sung with exquisite feeling, and with all that simplicity of manner which is necessary to render it perfect justice. The audience were absolutely in raptures with it. It was tumultously encored, and loudly called for a third time. The last call was not complied with. It was certainly not necessary, as from the impression it made, being sung but twice, it is probable that the last two lines will often be repeated by many of those who were present - 'Oh! I shall ne'er forget/Robin Adair'" (Morning Post, 9. 12.1811)

The first edition of the sheet music was announced a week later (Morning Post, 14.12.1811). But quickly other publisher jumped on the bandwagon and prepared their own versions of this song. William Reeve, the arranger of Braham's original version felt it necessary to warn against these unauthorized editions in letters to newspapers, for example in the Morning Post on December 20th, 1811:

"Robin Adair
Sir, - In consequence of the very great popularity of the song 'Robin Adair' now singing with such applause by Mr. Braham, I am informed that two spurious copies of it are preparing for the Press. Through the medium of your paper therefore I feel it is but an act of justice to inform the public that the copyright of the only genuine copy as sung by Mr. Braham, with the symphony and accompaniments composed by me, has been purchased at a liberal price by Messrs. Button and Whitaker of St. Paul's Church-yard, and that I cannot be responsible for the correctness of any other copy than that published by those gentlemen. I am, Sir, your Obedient Servant, William Reeve, 53, Marchmont-street, Dec. 17, 1811"

This little text was then added to subsequent editions of the original sheet music. Slg: JK

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